Toilet deodorizer device

ABSTRACT

A deodorizer for a toilet having a fill valve and an upstanding overflow pipe includes a fastener for securing the deodorizer to the overflow pipe, a container for holding a supply of a deodorant, a bridge interconnecting the fastener and container, and a venturi assembly for siphoning deodorant from the container and into the overflow pipe. Openings formed into the housing enable replenishment of the deodorant in the container without removal of the container from the toilet.

The present invention generally relates to toilet deodorizer devices and is more particularly directed to a deodorizer for a toilet having a fill valve and an upstanding overflow pipe. Many cleaning and deodorizing systems are available for toilets. Often such dispensers are clipped to the wall of the toilet tanks or provided in a form of tablets. With regard to the clips, such devices often impede proper seating of the toilet lid to prevent fill closure on the toilet tank and tablets, which dissolve into the refill water upon contacts, often generate undesired fumes.

A typical toilet utilizes a refill water system which provides an amount of water adequate to fill the toilet bowl. In order to conserve the cleaning or deodorizing agent accordingly maximize the usage thereof, it is desirable not to dissolve the agent in the flush water that drains to the toilet bowl but only in the refill water that fills the bowl after the flush. In this manner, a lesser amount of cleaning/deodorant agent is used with each flush.

The present invention provides a deodorizer for a toilet which is easy to install, has no moving parts, and also enables easy replenishment of deodorant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A deodorizer in accordance with the present invention for a toilet, having a fill valve and an upstanding overflow of pipe, generally includes a fastener for securing a deodorizer at a top of the overflow pipe and a container for holding a supply of deodorant. This attachment arrangement also provides easy access to the deodorizer. The fastener may include a clip or a cap.

A bridge is provided for interconnecting the cap and the container and a venturi assembly which includes an inlet for connection to the fill valve and an outlet for introduction of deodorant into the overflow pipe, is provided. The venturi assembly includes a housing for insertion into a top of the container and a draw line extends into the container for siphoning deodorant from the container and into the overflow pipe. Thus, the deodorizer is not introduced into the toilet tank but rather only into the water that refills the bowl.

Openings are formed into the housing which enable replenishment of the deodorant in the container without removal of the deodorizer from the toilet. Two openings may be provided and formed in the housing, each one being on opposite side of the venturi draw line, and each opening includes funneling surfaces in order to direct deodorant into the container.

The housing is disposed below a top of the container and a lid, which is hinged mounted to the bridge, for removably covering the opening and enabling easy access to the container for deodorant replenishment.

Preferably, the cap is sized to surround the overflow pipe in order to stably support the container via the bridge in a parallel relationship with the overflow pipe.

The venturi assembly is also removable from the container and the venturi outlet includes an L-fitting for introducing deodorant into the overflow pipe in a direction parallel to the overflow pipe. This reduces exposure of the deodorant to the atmosphere and act to more efficiently introduce deodorant into the flush water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood by the following description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a deodorizer in accordance with the present invention generally showing a cap, a container, a bridge, a venturi assembly and a hinged lid;

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the deodorizer in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a partial cross section of an alternative embodiment of the present invention utilizing a clip to fasten the deodorizer to an overflow pipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-2, there is shown a deodorizer 10 in accordance with the present invention generally including a fastener or cap 14 for securing the deodorizer 10 to a top of an overflow pipe 16 (shown in broken line) which is coupled to a container 18 by a bridge 22. These components, as well as the remaining components of the present invention, may be formed from any suitable material. In addition, each of the elements may be separately formed and attached to one another in any conventional manner.

The venturi assembly 26 includes a housing 30 sized for disposal within the container 18 below a top edge 34 which includes slots 38 for receiving a venturi assembly inlet 42 and outlet 44. The inlet includes a nipple 46 for connection to a fill valve (not shown) through a conventional tube 48, see FIG. 2. The outlet introduces deodorant into the overflow pipe 16 preferably through an L-fitting 50.

The cap 14 includes a depending side wall 54 which is sized in both diameter and length to surround the overflow pipe 16 in order to stably support the container 18 via the bridge 22 in a generally parallel relationship with the overflow pipe 16 with the container top 34 higher than the overflow pipe 16 top.

As shown in FIG. 2 a narrow portion 58 of the venturi assembly 26 between an inlet channel 62 and an outlet channel 64 is in fluid communication with a draw line 68 for siphoning deodorant from the container 18 and into the overflow pipe 16 through the outlet channel, outlet 44 and L-fitting 50.

To facilitate a refilling of the container 18, the housing preferably includes two openings 72, 74 surrounded by funnel shaped tapers 78, 80. This configuration enables refilling of the container conveniently without removal of the deodorizer 10 from the toilet bowl.

The openings 72, 74 are removably secured through the use of a lid 82, hinge mounted to the bridge 22 via a rod 86, lid bore 88, and housing bores 92, 94.

With reference now to FIG. 3, there is shown an alternative embodiment 100 of the present invention with elements thereof which are identical or substantially similar to the elements shown in the embodiment 10 set forth with common character references.

In this embodiment, a fastener clip 102 set into a container wall 108 by way of an upstanding leg 110 includes an upstanding section 114 sized for engaging a wall 116 of the overflow pipe 16. This embodiment is useful for various overflow pipe 16 diameters.

Although there has been hereinabove described a specific toilet deodorizer device in accordance with the present invention for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention may be used to advantage, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the recited elements. Further, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. Accordingly, any and all modifications, variations or equivalent arrangements which may occur to those skilled in the art, should be considered to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A deodorizer for a toilet having a fill valve and an upstanding overflow pipe, said deodorizer comprising: a fastener for securing said deodorizer onto a top of the overflow pipe; a container for holding a supply of deodorant; a bridge for interconnecting said cap and said container; a venturi assembly having an inlet for connection to said fill valve and an outlet for introducing deodorant into said overflow pipe, said venturi assembly having a housing for insertion into a top of said container and a draw line extending into said container for siphoning deodorant from said container and into said overflow pipe; openings formed into said housing enable replenishment of deodorant in said container without removal of said developer from said toilet.
 2. The deodorizer according to claim 1 further comprising two openings formed into said housing each opening formed on an opposite side of the venturi draw line.
 3. The deodorizer according to claim 2 wherein said housing is disposed below a top edge of said container.
 4. The deodorizer according to claim 3 further comprising a lid, hinge mounted to said body, for removably covering the openings.
 5. The deodorizer according to claim 1 wherein said fastener cap comprises a clip for engaging a wall of the overflow pipe.
 6. The deodorizer according to claim 4 wherein said fastener comprises a cap for engaging a top of the overflow pipe.
 7. The deodorizer according to claim 6 wherein said cap is sized to surround the overflow pipe in order to stabilize support said container, via said bridge, in a parallel relationship with the overflow pipe with the container tip higher than the overflow pipe top.
 8. The deodorizer according to claim 7 wherein the venturi outlet includes an L-fitting for introducing deodorant into the overflow pipe in a direction parallel to the overflow pipe.
 9. The deodorizer according to claim 1 wherein the venturi assembly is removable from said container.
 10. The deodorizer according to claim 9 further comprising two openings formed into said housing each opening formed on an opposite side of the venturi draw line.
 11. The deodorizer according to claim 5 wherein said housing is disposed below a top edge of said container.
 12. The deodorizer according to claim 11 further comprising a lid, hinge mounted to said body, for removably covering the openings.
 13. The deodorizer according to claim 12 wherein said cap is sized to surround the overflow pipe in order to stabilize support said container, via said bridge, in a parallel relationship with the overflow pipe with the container tip higher than the overflow pipe top.
 14. The deodorizer according to claim 13 wherein the venturi outlet includes an L-fitting for introducing deodorant into the overflow pipe in a direction parallel to the overflow pipe. 